MEH-PPV/SBS composite films: Localization and luminescence properties of conductive polymers with microphase separation

This study reports the synthesis of a flexible light-emitting polymer film by casting the solution formed by blending poly[2-methoxy-5-((2-ethylhexyl)oxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) with poly(styrene-co-butadiene-co-styrene) (SBS). Scanning force microscopy (SFM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirm that MEH-PPV molecules are selectively positioned in the polystyrene (PS) domain of the fabricated film. As MEH-PPV molecules are dissolved in the PS phase without aggregation, the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of the MEH-PPV/SBS film exhibits a nanometer-scale bicontinuous luminescent domain with low aggregation quenching. Furthermore, the MEH-PPV/SBS film exhibits typical elastomeric characteristics (with linear elasticity, a plateau, and densification regions in its stress-strain curves), and its tensile properties are comparable to those of neat SBS films. As MEH-PPV molecules are almost absent in the polybutadiene (PB) phase (which influences the bulk-film elastic properties), the concentration of MEH-PPV shows very little effect on the elastic properties of the composite film.

Automated summary

This study reports the synthesis of a flexible light-emitting polymer film using a solution blending method. The selective positioning of MEH-PPV molecules in the PS phase of the film was confirmed. The film exhibited a nanometer-scale luminescent domain with low aggregation quenching and showed good elastomeric characteristics.